OH, THE HUMANITY(IES)
his has been an angry week. I can’t begin to articulate my rage at the news from America, it’s too visceral right now. However, news closer to home, from Sheffield Hallam University, brought on this blog post. Settle in, it’s a long one…
WHAT’S IN THE BAG?
I’ve already written one article this year covering my gnawing insecurity over my second book, and anyone who knows me will be sick of hearing my woes in this matter. What does this have to do with CBeebies? Don’t worry, I’m not going to rant about their accentism again. Have you seen The Baby Club? What do you mean, ‘no’?
ANGRY FEMINIST BLOGPOST
As women, we’re constantly apologising. Qualifying. Minimising. If I make myself really, really small, maybe they’ll leave me alone. Maybe I can live under the radar in peace. Of course, if you’re forever repressing yourself, you end up with this well of rage, somewhere just beneath your ribcage.
Read MorePUBLISH AND BE DAMNED! OR… DON’T.
2019 was a poor year for me in terms of mental health, but one of the things that helped me was writing. I had my first book coming out, which should really be enough for anyone to focus on, especially as alongside returning to work after baby#2. When you’re a few sparks short of a sensible brain, though, you don’t necessarily take a common-sense approach to these things.
THE YEAR I FINALLY DID SOMETHING
2019 was the year I finally did something. With my writing, I mean. I also had a(nother) baby, but luckily for you, dear reader, that’s not what this blog is about. Seeing lots of end of year/decade round-ups on my timeline I thought I should really mark the year of my debut somehow, so here we go…
Read MoreLAUNCH PARTY!
I’m quite good at saying and doing the wrong things at social events, so instead of having a launch party at a book shop like debut authors are supposed to do, I decided to have it at home, with my dog and my kid’s toys.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE WRITING WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
Finding time to write is notoriously difficult. Unless you’re lucky enough to live off advances, you’ll have a day-job to pay the bills and (hopefully) a life outside of that, including loved ones. Writing is a selfish pursuit. It requires hours and hours of time alone and absolute focus. How do you attain that holy grail when you’re responsible for others?
Read MoreREVIEWS
Three reviews have come back from the journalists I sent advance copies to – I’m so grateful to them for reading my book and giving me their thoughts.
INTERVIEW: PAUL A. MENDELSON
Paul A Mendelson is a writer best known for TV and radio work, including Bafta-nominated BBC series May to December, ITV film Losing It and Dreamworks/Fox animation Neighbors from Hell. You can follow him on Twitter @paulmendelson65
The FEAR
I’ve spent pretty much every spare moment I’ve had in the last ten years writing, revising, editing and submitting my manuscripts to agents and publishers. Finally, after many ‘close-but-no-cigar’ moments, I landed a deal. Champagne, right? Well, not exactly. Okay- I’ll admit, there was a bottle of champagne courtesy of my lovely friend Bozz- but getting a publishing contract really just means the start of an intense period of pure anxiety.
A F Stone 